Spoiler
There is literally no test that doesn't test memorization.
There is literally no test without time limit and some kind of pressure.
Here's the thing, there are several types of intelligences, and you're not good at all of them. There are social intelligences, musical intelligences, physical, and so on and so forth. But you can't test a musical intelligence in biology. You can't test a physical intelligence in English Literature. It makes no sense. What you can test is general or detailed knowledge on the subject, which can be learnt in whatever way you want. Not everyone learns the same, that is true, but how you learn makes no difference in a standardized test as long as you learn all you need. How much you learn depends on your overall intelligence and motivation.
Explaining your thoughts is also something you can learn and should learn in class, so blame your teacher for that one.
Now, something that is not the fault of standardized tests but the american school system is the grading. Because damn that's harsh over there. 60% for a D? You should be able to pass with 50%, because maybe it's just really not your kind of subject. American grading is so unforgiving.
WHAT HAPPENED KYAN
Yeah but no penalties means no minus points for just filling out anything, and you could have something right when you just put whatever in.